The European Cancer Patient Coalition is recruiting

A Senior EU Affairs Officer

Full-time (100%) position to start as soon as possible

Deadline: 15 February 2023

Offices: ECPC Secretariat, 6, Avenue des Arts, 1210 Brussels

Senior EU Affairs Officer

Organisation

The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) is a European umbrella organization based in Brussels gathering over 450 cancer patient associations from 49 Countries.

ECPC was set up in 2003. We believe that cancer patients are the most important partners in cancer control and we advocate for all the cancer-related issues affecting our society. Every day we are working to make sure that all European cancer patients have timely and affordable access to the best treatment and care available, throughout their life.

Position

We are recruiting a Senior EU Affairs Officer to support the organisation’s work in European policy. The Senior EU Affairs Officer will be responsible for the policy files of the organisation, contributing policy recommendations to research projects, and establishing good working relations with key stakeholders, the European Commission and Parliament.

Job Objective

The Senior EU Affairs Officer will be responsible for the development of the organisation’s policy activities in line with the Board’s decisions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional with sound educational and professional background.

Main Activities

  • Proactively follow developments in cancer in the European Commission and other EU institutions, medical societies and in the EU cancer ecosystem  in relation to cancer in EU  health care systems and public health, and accordingly inform the Board as well as make suggestions for action
  • Assist the Board in the concept, drafting, design, and implemention of cancer and health policy strategy
  • Advocate for patients’ rights within EU Institutions and eventually at national level
  • Contribute to the policy aspects of research projects in the new policy frameworks of the Cancer Mission, the European Cancer Plan, Digital Transformation of Health
  • Assist the President, Vice President and Board in preparing for interviews and presentations at events and congresses
  • Develop & maintain relations with the organisation’s current and new stakeholders (NGOs, industry, medical societies, academia, health/oncology media)
  • Conceive, plan, budget and organise ECPC own events or in collaboration with stakeholders and EU institutions (particularly with the European Parliament)
  • Conceive, plan and build program of live and virtual conferences  and events, including program development, speakers selection, build invitees list, event promotion (press releases, event report, newletter), event budget and sponsorships, post event administration

Project management

  • Ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple projects
  • Ability to use a shared online project management system
  • Able to plan workload and estimate timelines accurately
  • Basic EU funded project accounting and reporting required
  • Keep, update and cross-link the policy dossiers archive of the organization

Teamwork

  • Proactiveness, collegiality, readiness to offer a helping hand in various tasks, sociable mature personality able to relate with peers and high-level officials
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced team within an international and multilingual environment
  • Willingness and availability to work long hours, whenever necessary, to undertake business travel at short notice and assist in all activities of a busy small office
  • Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels
  • Demonstrated ability to work well with others in both team and independent environments
  • Character traits of being flexible, stress-resistant, efficient, diplomatic and above all enthusiastic, willing and keen to learn
  • A professional mindset and interest in the development and sustainability of activities

Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree in Political Science, EU Affairs, Public Health, Medicine with oncology orientation from recognised European Universities
  • Previous similar continuous working experience of at least three years in the European setting
  • Working knowledge of EU health and oncology stakeholders
  • Proven working experience and knowledge of health systems in the European oncology setting
  • Working experience of the functioning of the European Union and its Institutions

Skills

  • Working experience in European Affairs in Brussels of at least five years, preferably in health related sectors in non-profit organizations;
  • Demonstrated expert use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint –
  • Proven skills and expertise in producing high quality visuals is required for presentations and reports;
  • Proven outstanding written and verbal skills in English (English fluency is mandatory) and attention to detail
  • Fluency in at least another EU language
  • Experience in writing long documents (reports, position papers, project proposals, etc.) and in creating/using visuals with desk top publishing
  • Experience in preparing documents (press releases, editorials, etc.) for the press and online media
  • Expertise in professional use of social media in healthcare (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn);
  • Experience in governance and day to day work of non-profit organisations, particularly in a patient organisation;
  • Budget planning and oversight, basic accounting experience;
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines, handle multiple projects, plan workload and estimate timelines accurately;
  • Experience in using a shared online project management system;
  • Basic EU funded project accounting and reporting required;
  • Keep, update and cross-link the policy archive of the organization is required

What we offer

  • This is a full-time position (38 hours per week), based in Brussels, benefits include meal vouchers, 5 additional holidays per year, GSM abonnement, Eco vouchers, hospitalization insurance, group insurance, CCT90 bonus, Cadeau Pass (end of year) and Sport & Culture Pass. The position offers many learning and career advancement opportunities for the right candidate. It is suitable for young professionals aiming to build vertical expertise on many and varied aspects of cancer, health care, cancer policy and research.
  • We offer a captivating and varied function with an organization driven by its mission and where initiative, creativity, and energy are strongly encouraged. The successful candidate will collaborate with a young, well educated, motivated, professional, and friendly Secretariat and a very involved, expert, and collaborative Board and Scientific Committee.

Starting date: Immediate

Applications

Interested candidates should send a CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) in English by EMAIL ONLY to personnel@ecpc.org not later than February 15, 2023.

The cover letter should have as Subject line: “Application for the position of Sr EU Affairs Officer – your name”) and should outline your suitability and motivation for the post, indicating also when you could start, if short-listed for interview.

It should explicitly reference how your profile matches the different job requirements described above. Please also include a photo with your application and the names and contact details of two people (ideally a current or former line manager or supervisor) who could provide a reference in case you are short-listed for interview.

We will assess the applications as we receive them and you should not wait till the deadline is passed. Should you be interested please do not wait till the last day, as we may have already filled the position.

Applications not meeting the requirements will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside ECPC.